Twelve members of the same Bradford family are feared to have travelled to Syria after failing to return from a trip to Saudi Arabia earlier this month.

Three adults and nine children from the Dawood family did not return as expected after travelling to Saudi Arabia on an Islamic pilgrimage on May 28.

It is feared that the women and children had travelled from Turkey on to Syria.

The family members, whose ages range from three to 34, should have arrived back in the country as a group on June 11.

But in a statement released by a local solicitors’ firm, the Dawood family say they believe they boarded a flight to Istanbul in Turkey two days earlier.

The statement said: “The family are extremely concerned as to the whereabouts of the missing persons and their welfare.

“There has been no contact from any of the family since 9th June 2015. The mobile telephones with the group have not been active since 9th June 2015. Their social media profiles have also not been updated since that date.”

Solicitor Balaal Hussain Khan, whose firm released the statement, said it was feared that the women and children had travelled from Turkey on to Syria.

The statement said: “Preliminary enquiries suggest that ten members of the group, boarded a flight from Madina, Saudi Arabia to Istanbul, Turkey on 9th June 2015.

“West Yorkshire Police are investigating the matter and have contacted the Turkish Authorities. However at this stage no progress has been made with any sightings or contact in Turkey.

The family of the missing persons are extremely worried and feel helpless.”

Mr Khan said there was no record for two of the children, Haafiyah Binte Zubair, eight, and Nurah Binte Zubair, five, boarding the flight but that he believed this was a computer glitch.

He added: “The brother of the Dawoods is currently in Syria, but we don’t have much information about that.”

West Yorkshire Police said in a statement that officers were “extremely concerned for the safety of the family”. The statement said: “West Yorkshire Police can confirm that they received a report that 12 people (3 adults and 9 children) from the Bradford area are missing; Khadija Dawood, Sugra Dawood and Zohra Dawood and 9 children aged between 5-15 years.

“Since their disappearance was reported on June 11 West Yorkshire Police has been supporting the family and carrying out extensive enquiries.

“Officers have commenced an investigation to establish their whereabouts and are working extensively with authorities overseas to try and locate them.”

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Foster said: “We are extremely concerned for the safety of the family and would urge anyone with information to come forward and speak to us.

“Our priority is for their safe return; their families are gravely worried about them and want them home. One of our primary concerns is the safety and welfare of the young children”